STATE: Colonels hold first practice in full pads

THIBODAUX - After completing its first four practices of fall camp in helmets and shells, the Nicholls State University football team donned full pads for the first time on Tuesday morning at John L. Guidry Stadium.

“We want them to get used to wearing all the gear and work through the heat,” Nicholls coach Charlie Stubbs said in a university release. “The other thing too is that there are a couple blocks we wanted to work on where we could cut, so having the pads on allows us to do some of those things.”

The Colonels are set to work in full pads the next three days, with the exception of the second session of Thursday’s two-a-days, which will be shells only. On Saturday morning, Nicholls is slated for its first live-action scrimmage of the fall.

Following Saturday’s scrimmage, the Colonels will host Tilloui’s Maniacs, a free youth clinic for children ages 7-12. The clinic is scheduled to last one hour and will begin approximately at 10:30 a.m.

NICHOLLS HOPES TO BLACK OUT OPENER: In Thibodaux, the Nicholls State is asking fans to wear black to John L. Guidry Stadium for the football season opener against Evangel on Thursday, Sept. 1. at 6:30 p.m.

CAJUNS SET FOR MEDIA DAY: In Lafayette, coach Mark Hudspeth’s Ragin’ Cajuns will unveil their new uniforms at the team’s annual Media Day Wednesday.

A luncheon, player interviews and a summary of the ULL outlook for the 2011 campaign are on the day’s itinerary. Activities get under way at noon.

Hudspeth, in his first year at the ULL helm, will address the media at 3 p.m. He will be followed by offensive coordinator Jay Johnson and defensive coordinator Greg Stewart.

The Cajuns are preparing for their season opener at Oklahoma State on Sept. 3.

Tulane

GREEN WAVE TO HOST MEDIA DAY: In New Orleans, Tulane coach Bob Toledo, who begins his fifth season at the helm, will preview the 2011 edition of the Green Wave when the team holds its annual Media Day on Wednesday.

Toledo will address the media at 1 p.m. in the Wilson Center Atrium, followed by one-on-one interviews with members of the team.

A total of 98 players begin preparations this week for the team’s opener against Southeastern Louisiana in the Superdome on Sept. 3.

Southeastern Louisiana

LIONS ENJOY BEST WORKOUT AS IT OPENS TWO-A-DAY DRILLS: In Hammond, Southeastern opened two-a-days with two workouts on the Strawberry Stadium turf, working in full gear in the morning before returning in shells in the evening.

“It was so hot out here on the turf, I was expecting us to drag a little bit, but it might have been our best practice of camp,” Southeastern coach Mike Lucas said in a university release. “The kids had great enthusiasm, we got a lot of work done and had big plays on both sides of the ball. We had a really great tempo.”

The Lions worked on special teams during the evening session, mainly on field goals and kickoffs, before concluding with their two-minute drill.

Returning letterwinner Seth Sebastian and true freshman Ryan Adams shared kicking duties for the Lions, each drawing praise from Lucas on their performance. Lucas credited former Southern All-American kicker and current graduate assistant Breck Ackley for working with the Lions kickers and punters.

Southeastern will return to practice Wednesday with a single workout in full gear at 6 a.m. before holding a team activity in the afternoon and concluding with meetings in the evening.

McNeese State

COWBOYS HOLD FIRST TWO-A-DAY WORKOUT: In Lake Charles, McNeese State held its first two-a-day drills on Tuesday.

“We’re making good progress,” Cowboys coach Matt Viator said in a university release. “We actually started practice today with team passing drills, trying to throw a little pressure. I think that we’re making progress throwing and catching-wise.

“Our secondary is doing good. Those guys have all played and it’s kinda like we’re trying to catch up on offense. That was the emphasis this morning, getting in a lot of throwing, a low of live throwing drills.”

In the afternoon workout, Viator said the emphasis was on the red zone on both sides of the ball.

The Cowboys were in full pads in the morning and in shorts and helmets in the afternoon. They will be in full pads Wednesday morning, with two practices on Thursday and one Friday.

Louisiana-Monroe

NEWCOMERS RETURN TO WORK: In Monroe, newcomers to the ULM football team put in their second day of independent workouts Tuesday afternoon. After practicing as a full squad over the weekend, Tuesday was the second chance for the Warhawks coaching staff to work solely with the younger players.

Wednesday will be the first time in full pads for many of the younger players in their college careers, on first day full contact sessions are allowed by the NCAA. The veterans will practice at 9:15 a.m., with the newcomers practicing in the afternoon at 4:30.

Northwestern State

PEVETO PLEASED WITH WORKOUT: In Natchitoches, Tuesday’s first practice in full pads left Northwestern State coach Bradley Dale Peveto beaming.

The Demons staged a workout of about 2 hours, 15 minutes in full gear, with the 95 players in camp on the same field at the same time for the first time in the fifth practice of preseason.

“We didn’t have the normal snags for this situation,” Peveto said in a university release. “It was really good. We practiced with an edge and a purpose tonight, and we had fun. There was very good tempo, very good intensity, and we again knew how to practice. We took care of each other, we stayed up and off each other’s legs, we were a mature football team.”